Phalaenopsis plant named &#39;mothers finest&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Mothers Finest’, characterized by its upright plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; strong flowering stems; strong and moderately elongated leaves; freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; greenish white-colored flowers with random small to large purplish red-colored spots; and good postproduction longevity.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Varieties of Phalaenopsis Plants

Inventor: René Schoone

Filed: Feb. 10, 2021

Ser. No. 63/147,984

Inventor and Applicant/Assignee hereby claims the benefit of thisprovisional U.S. Patent Application.

Botanical designation: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘MOTHERS FINEST’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY

INVENTOR and APPLICANT/ASSIGNEE An European Community Plant Breeder'sRights application for the instant plant was filed by theApplicant/Assignee of the instant application, Floricultura B.V. ofHeemskerk, The Netherlands on Mar. 18, 2021, application number2021/0834. Foreign priority is not claimed to this European CommunityPlant Breeder's Rights application.

The Inventor and Applicant/Assignee assert that no publications noradvertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distributionoccurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of thisapplication. Any information about the claimed plant would have beenobtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor and/orApplicant/Assignee. Inventor and Applicant/Assignee claim a prior artexception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior tothe filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filingdate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘Mothers Finest’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Nantou, Taiwan and Heemskerk, TheNetherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to develop newfast-growing and freely flowering Phalaenopsis plants with good leafshape and large flowers with unique and attractive patterns andcoloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination on May20, 2014 in Nantou, Taiwan of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Diamond Beauty’, notpatented, as the female, or seed, parent with Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘SnowLeopard’, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent.

The new Phalaenopsis plant was discovered and selected by the Inventoras a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the statedcross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouse environment inHeemskerk, The Netherlands in August, 2018.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitro meristempropagation in a controlled environment in Assendelft, The Netherlandssince August, 2019 has shown that the unique features of this newPhalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Mothers Finest’. These characteristicsin combination distinguish ‘Mothers Finest’ as a new and distinctPhalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Strong flowering stems.    -   4. Strong and moderately elongated leaves.    -   5. Freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per        plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers.    -   6. Greenish white-colored flowers with random small to large        purplish red-colored spots.    -   7. Good postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the femaleparent, ‘Diamond Beauty’ . Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differprimarily from plants of ‘Diamond Beauty’ in flower color as plants ofthe new Phalaenopsis have greenish white-colored flowers with purplishred-colored spots whereas plants of ‘Diamond Beauty’ have yellow-coloredflowers with more numerous spots.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the maleparent, ‘Snow Leopard’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Snow Leopard’ in flower color as plants of the newPhalaenopsis have greenish white-colored flowers with purplishred-colored spots whereas plants of ‘Snow Leopard’ have white-coloredflowers with more numerous spots.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsishybrida ‘Big Time’, not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plants ofthe new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Big Time’ inflower color as plants of the new Phalaenopsis have greenishwhite-colored flowers with purplish red-colored spots whereas plants of‘Big Time’ have white-colored flowers with fewer spots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Phalaenopsis plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view ofa typical flowering plant of ‘Mothers Finest’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view oftypical flowers of ‘Mothers Finest’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the late summer and earlyautumn in 10.5-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Heemskerk,The Netherlands and under cultural practices typically used incommercial Phalaenopsis production. Plants were 18 months old when thephotographs and description were taken. During the first twelve monthsof production of the plants, day and night temperatures averaged 27° C.During the final six months of production of the plants, daytemperatures ranged from 20° C. to 22° C. and night temperatures rangedfrom 18° C. to 20° C. During the production of the plants, light levelsranged from a minimum of 5,000 lux to a maximum of 10,000 lux. In thefollowing description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Mothers Finest’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Diamond Beauty’, not            patented.        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Snow Leopard’, not            patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem propagation.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer and winter.—About two weeks            at temperatures about 28° C. to 30° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer and            winter.—About 20 to 25 weeks at temperatures about 28° C. to            30° C.        -   Root description.—Thin, fibrous; typically light yellowish            white in color; actual color of the roots is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer, substrate            temperature and age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; upright            plant habit with typically two inflorescences per plant,            each inflorescence with numerous flowers; monopodial;            moderately vigorous growth habit and moderate growth rate.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About            12.3 cm.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of            inflorescences.—About 40.5 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 28.1 cm.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about            eight leaves per plant.        -   Length.—About 14.7 cm.        -   Width.—About 5.4 cm.        -   Aspect.—Uptight to outwardly arching.        -   Shape.—Oblanceolate; slightly carinate.        -   Apex.—Unequal obtuse to unequal broadly acute.        -   Base.—Sheathing. Sheath length: About 1.9 cm. Sheath width:            About 1.4 cm. Sheath color: Close to 143C; apical margin,            slightly tinged with close to 183A.        -   Margin.—Entire; not undulate.        -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth,            glabrous; slightly glossy.        -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137B.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 146B heavily            mottled with close to N186C. Fully expanded leaves, upper            surface: Close to NN137A; venation, close to NN137A. Fully            expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to 146A to 146B;            venation, close to 143A.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers            arranged on axillary branched racemes; typically two            inflorescences per plant; each inflorescence with about            twelve flowers; flowers face outwardly on arching            inflorescences supported by upright peduncles; flowers with            three petals, two lateral petals and one center petal            transformed into a labellum and three sepals.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about six months            after planting; plants flower naturally during the winter            into the spring.        -   Flower longevity.—Long flowering period, individual flowers            maintain good substance for about eight weeks on the plant;            flowers not persistent.        -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence            apex).—About 24.6 cm.        -   Inflorescence width.—About 20.3 cm.        -   Flower buds.—Height: About 2.4 cm. Diameter: About 1.8 cm by            2 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate. Color: Close to 146B and 150C            heavily and irregularly blotched and marbled with close to            N79A, N79B, N186C and 187A.        -   Flower size.—About 7.8 cm (vertical) by 7 cm (horizontal).        -   Flower depth.—About 3.4 cm.        -   Petals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lateral petals            and one center petal transformed into a labellum.        -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 3.7 cm. Width: About 4 cm.            Shape: Reniform. Apex: Obtuse to rounded. Margin: Entire.            Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous, velvety; matte. Color: When opening, upper            surface: Close to 145D to lighter than 145D; irregularly            spotted with close to N79C and 187B. When opening, lower            surface: Close to 145C to 145D; irregularly spotted with            close to N77A and N77B. Fully opened, upper surface: Close            to 157D to lighter than 157D; irregularly spotted with close            to 71A, N79B, N79C and N186D; color does not change with            subsequent development. Fully opened, lower surface: Close            to lighter than 145D; towards the margins, close to 157D to            lighter than 157D; irregularly spotted with close to N77B;            color does not change with subsequent development.        -   Labella.—Appearance: Three-parted with two lateral lobes and            a central lobe. Length, lateral lobes: About 1.8 cm. Width,            lateral lobes: About 1.1 cm. Length, central lobe: About            3.1 cm. Width, central lobe: About 8 mm to 17.5 mm. Shape,            lateral lobes: Obovate. Shape, central lobe: Roughly            deltoid. Apex, lateral lobes: Obtuse. Apex, central lobe:            Broadly retuse with two recurved cirrose tips, about 4 mm in            length and about 1.2 mm in width. Margins, lateral and            central lobes: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower            surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, moderately velvety; matte.            Callosities: Located at the base of the labellum and            attachment point of the lateral petals; about 4 mm in            length, about 3 mm in width and about 3.5 mm in height.            Color: When opening and fully opened, upper surface: Lateral            lobes: Close to NN155D; basal margin, close to 13C; fine            dots, close to 181B; at the base, close to 187A. Central            lobe: Close to 1B; towards the apex, close to 3C; distally,            fine dots, close to 187A and proximally, larger spots, close            to 72A; at the base, close to a blend of N79B and 187B;            cirrose tips, close to NN155D. Callosities: Close to 14C to            14D; distally, close to 183A to 183B. When opening and fully            opened, lower surface: Lateral lobes: Close to N155A; basal            margin, close to 11A; fine dots, close to 181B; at the base,            close to N77A. Central lobe: Close to 160D; towards the            apex, close to NN155D; margins, tinged with sloe to 1A to            1B; distally, fine dots, close to 183A and proximally,            larger spots, close to 71A; at the base, close to 197B;            cirrose tips, close to NN155D.        -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, one upper dorsal            sepal and two lower lateral sepals. Length, dorsal sepal:            About 4 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About 2.8 cm. Length,            lateral sepals: About 3.8 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About            2.4 cm. Shape, dorsal sepal: Elliptic to oblong. Shape,            lateral sepals: Ovate to elliptic. Apex, dorsal sepal:            Obtuse Apex, lateral sepals: Bluntly acute. Base, dorsal and            lateral sepals: Truncate. Margin, dorsal and lateral sepals:            Entire. Texture and luster, dorsal and lateral sepals, upper            and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety; matte. Color,            dorsal sepal: When opening, upper surface: Close to 145D;            heavily spotted with close to N79A, N186C and N186D. When            opening, lower surface: Close to 145B and 145C; heavily            spotted with close to N186C, N186D and 187A. Fully opened,            upper surface: Close to 157B to 157C; heavily spotted with            close to 71A, N79A, N79B, N186D and 187A. Fully opened,            lower surface: Close to 145B; towards the margins, close to            157A; heavily spotted with close to N79B, N79C and N186D.            Color, lateral sepals: When opening, upper surface: Close to            145D; proximally, close to N79A, N186C and N186D. When            opening, lower surface: Close to 145C; midvein, close to            145A to 145B; proximally, close to N186C, N186D and 187A.            Fully opened, upper surface: Slightly lighter than 145D;            proximally, close to 71A, N79A, N79B, N186D and 187A. Fully            opened, lower surface: Close to a blend of 145C and 145D;            midvein, close to 145B; heavily spotted with close to N79B,            N79C and N186D.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 41 cm. Diameter: About 4.5 mm.            Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to outwardly arching.            Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to            138A; heavily covered with fine dots and stripes, close to            197A; proximally, close to 200A.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 3.6 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm.            Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 50° from peduncle            axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:            Close to 144B; distally, close to 145D, and proximally,            spotted and tinged with close to N77B and 147A.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About            1.1 cm. Column width: About 6 mm. Column color: Close to            NN155C; proximally, close to N78D. Pollinia quantity: Two.            Pollinia diameter (per two pollinia): About 3 mm. Pollinia            color: Close to 17B. Gynoecium: Stigma length: About 3 mm.            Stigma width: About 5 mm. Stigma shape: Reniform. Stigma            color: Close to N155A. Ovary length: About 7 mm. Ovary            diameter: About 1 mm. Ovary color: Close to 149C. Seeds and            fruits: To date, seed and fruit development have not been            observed on plants of the new Phalaenopsis.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Phalaenopsis    have not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been    observed to tolerate high temperatures about 40° C. and are suitable    for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘MothersFinest’ as illustrated and described.